A shortage of Florida troopers will undermine public safety

Over the past few years, Florida has seen a significant increase in new residents and a significant increase in tourists, as it had 146 million visitors last year alone. There is the responsibility and demand for Florida Highway Patrol troopers as Florida population steadily grows and becomes the third largest in the country.

As of May 5th, only 1,256 FHP troopers covering the state. They work in three shifts. This means that not all troopers are working at the same time. Additionally, there are less than 150 cor leaders available to oversee traffic homicides, and fewer than 240 sergeants to provide frontline oversight over a total area of ​​over 65,700 square miles.

There are currently over 150 vacant seats, with more troopers leaving each month. Over the years, FHP has cut 156 positions while adding around 23 positions, which was over a decade ago.

Despite the decline in talent, our troopers, who are also our first responders, have increased their workload and responsibility in response to the growing demands the state has placed on them. When there were major hurricanes and many people in recent years, troopers quickly responded to devastated areas, clearing roads, assisting citizens who were evacuated, injured and rescued citizens due to floods.

In addition to responding to natural disasters, troopers play a major role in all aspects of public safety. They are assigned to help Florida Key local governments to address illegal immigrants and Cuban refugees. They respond to statewide civil disobedience and public obstruction. They provide additional safety to the places of worship. They are deployed to enhance security during spring break in the state’s most populous cities, and whenever the governor issues an executive order calling for critical services. These requests add to keeping roads and highways safe and responding to road emergency situations.

Our responsibility has evolved as the federal government cracks down on illegal immigration. The Florida Highway Patrol was the country’s first state law enforcement agency to be delegated to federal enforcement agencies related to illegal immigration. Currently, more than 1,800 state troopers have qualified and are delegated to federal immigration enforcement agencies. This means that state troopers have the authority to detain, investigate, arrest and exclude illegal immigrants in all 67 counties throughout the state. Until now, our state troopers have arrested over 1,000 illegal immigrants, many of whom have been pre-determined criminal arrested for committing violent crimes and are associated with dangerous gangs.

Inadequate funding and inadequate wages for years have created the staffing crisis facing FHP. The Florida Troopers rank 48th in US State Trooper payments, just over $54,000 compared to other law enforcement agencies in our state, with starting salaries of around $70,000 per year. Due to low pay, troopers only last for around 7 years and 11 years. If these trends continue, Florida residents and millions of visitors who come to our state each year will be affected by FHP’s inability to provide optimal levels of safety and security across the state.

So Florida lawmakers must take action. Invest in long-term plans, properly fund FHP, and pay for what is worthy of a trooper, recruiting more applicants and taking on this job, with veteran troopers maintaining their ranks, particularly the supervising rank. All state budgets reflect priorities made by lawmakers. Investing in public safety must remain a top priority for Florida lawmakers, and these investments must start by ending the staffing crisis for troopers and providing compensation for what these important first responders deserve.

William Smith is the president of the Highway Patrol Chapter of the Florida Police and Charity Association.